Key Insights
Quick Answer:
- Best X for Y: Best Choice for Stability: Pat hands
- Best time to do X: Best Time to Draw: When expected value is higher
- Biggest mistake: Keeping weak pat hands out of fear
- Pro tip: A made hand isn’t always the best hand to keep
What Is a Pat Hand?
A pat hand is a hand you can keep as-is without drawing any new cards.
Common pat hands include:
- straight
- flush
- full house
- four of a kind
- straight flush
- royal flush
These hands already qualify for a payout.
Why Pat Hands Feel “Safe”
Pat hands:
- lock in a win
- remove uncertainty
- feel emotionally comfortable
This safety feeling is why many players instinctively keep any pat hand—even when it’s not optimal.
What Is a Drawing Hand?
A drawing hand is a partial hand where you:
- hold some cards
- discard others
- try to improve
Examples:
- four cards to a flush
- four cards to a straight
- three of a kind
- two high cards
Drawing hands rely on probability, not guarantees.
Why Drawing Can Be the Better Choice
Even though drawing introduces risk:
- expected value may be higher
- long-term returns improve
- RTP stays closer to optimal
Breaking a pat hand can feel wrong, but math—not comfort—drives correct play.
When Strategy Tells You to Break a Pat Hand
In certain variants:
- low straights
- low flushes
- weak full houses
may be broken to chase:
- four to a royal
- four to a straight flush
This is common in high-variance games like Deuces Wild.
How Variants Change Pat vs Drawing Decisions
Different games treat pat hands differently:
- Jacks or Better favors keeping pat hands more often
- Deuces Wild encourages aggressive drawing
- Bonus Poker shifts value toward premium hands
Always match decisions to the variant and paytable.
The Role of Expected Value
Expected value (EV) compares:
- guaranteed payout now
- vs average payout after drawing
If drawing produces higher EV, it’s the correct play—even if it fails short-term.
Common Emotional Traps
Players often:
- fear losing a guaranteed win
- chase comfort over math
- avoid variance
This leads to:
- consistently lower RTP
- longer losing sessions
Understanding pat vs drawing hands reduces fear-driven decisions.
Pat Hands and Variance
Pat-heavy strategies:
- reduce short-term swings
- cap long-term potential
Draw-heavy strategies:
- increase variance
- unlock higher-value outcomes
Neither is “better”—they suit different goals.
Multi-Hand Implications
In multi-hand video poker:
- one decision applies to all hands
- breaking a pat hand multiplies risk
- keeping a weak pat hand multiplies lost value
Strategy accuracy matters more.
Why Beginners Struggle With This Concept
Beginners:
- overvalue immediate wins
- undervalue probability
- avoid breaking hands
This is normal—but it’s also why strategy charts exist.
Practicing Pat vs Drawing Decisions
Best ways to practice:
- free-play modes
- training software
- reviewing strategy charts
Repetition builds confidence.
Online vs Casino Differences
The math:
- is identical everywhere
But online play:
- moves faster
- compresses outcomes
This makes drawing decisions feel harsher.
Common Myths About Pat Hands
False beliefs include:
- “Never break a winning hand”
- “Drawing is gambling”
- “Pat hands are always correct”
All are wrong.
FAQs on Pat Hands vs Drawing Hands
Is a Pat Hand Always the Best Play?
No. Expected value matters more.
Should Beginners Avoid Drawing?
No. Learn to draw correctly.
Do Drawing Hands Increase Variance?
Yes, especially in wild-card games.
Can Strategy Charts Tell Me When to Break a Pat Hand?
Yes—always follow chart priority.
Does This Change in Online Video Poker?
No. Only the speed changes.
Where To Go Next
Now that you understand pat hands vs drawing hands, the next step is learning how much bankroll different video poker games require.
Next Article: Bankroll Requirements for Different Video Poker Variants (article #21)
Next Steps
If you want volatility context, read: Why Deuces Wild Is More Volatile Than Jacks or Better (article #19)
If you want bankroll planning next, read: Bankroll Requirements for Different Video Poker Variants (article #21)
Want the full framework? Use: The Complete Guide to Video Poker (pillar)
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